Youth Survey

What is the Iowa Youth Survey?

Every two years in Iowa, the Iowa Youth Survey is conducted in public and non-public schools. Students in 6th, 8th and 11th grades answer questions about their attitudes and perceptions regarding substance abuse and violence, their perceptions of their peers, family, school and neighborhood/community environments.

The survey results are compiled so that national and state organizations and local communities can get information about trends regarding drug and alcohol use and about the strengths and weaknesses of our schools, families, communities and adolescents. This information is used by local communities to offer services and programs which can improve the lives of youths and adults.

Great news from the Iowa Youth Survey: From 1999 to 2010, binge drinking among Marshalltown 11th graders has dropped 24%! Tobacco use decreased 28% and alcohol use decreased 26%! From this information, SATUCI Youth Partners know their efforts to inform youth and adults about the risks involved in underage drug and alcohol use are making a difference in the community!

The Iowa Youth Survey is conducted by the Iowa Department of Public Health’s Division of Behavorial Health in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Education, the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy, the Iowa Department of Human Rights’ Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning and Statistical Analysis Center and the Iowa Department of Human Services.